Justin Lee Greenwald -- Carnegie Hero Fund Commission

Justin Lee Greenwald saved Ronald L. Lallone from burning, Calabasas, California, November 29, 2015.

Lallone, 81, was asleep in a bedroom in one end of his mobile home after fire broke out at night, at the opposite end. Flames spread quickly, blocking the front door, and filled the structure with smoke.

A neighbor, Justin, 17, high school student of Calabasas, responded to the scene from his nearby home. He approached the burning structure’s side door and, finding it locked, punched out the glass and then forced the door open with his shoulder. Justin entered the house to flames that were spreading in the living room. Assuming that Lallone was in his bedroom, Justin turned into the hall that accessed the bedrooms.

He entered Lallone’s bedroom, pulled Lallone to his feet, and, supporting him, guided him to the side door and outside to safety. Flames grew and destroyed the house.

Justin suffered cuts to his right hand and feet but did not require medical treatment. He recovered.

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Medal presentation to Justin Lee Greenwald

Carnegie Hero Justin Lee Greenwald, left, with volunteer presenter Donald E. Thompson, who, himself, received the Carnegie Medal in 2014.

Los Angeles County Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Williams introduced volunteer presenter Donald E. Thompson to present the Carnegie Medal to Justin Lee Greenwald at a March 25, 2017 ceremony in Agoura Hills, Calif.

Carnegie Hero Justin Lee Greenwald, center, poses with two friends who were his guests at a Carnegie Medal presentation held March 25, 2017. With him are Sam Turner, left, and Ariana Rosay.

Carnegie hero Justin Lee Greenwald poses with his guests and others after receiving the Carnegie Medal at a presentation held at a Recognition Ceremony hosted by the Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 89. From left, Greenwald’s father, Mike Greenwald; Greenwald; Ronald L. Lallone, the neighbor Greenwald saved; Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Williams; volunteer presenter Donald E. Thompson; and Greenwald’s mother, Mira Greenwald.

To the sound of enthusiastic applause, Justin Lee Greenwald received the Carnegie Medal during a March 25, 2017 presentation held at a Los Angeles County Fire Department. Volunteer presenter Donald E. Thompson presented the award to Greenwald during a recognition ceremony where 32 others were also recognized. Thompson is a Los Angeles police officer who received the Carnegie Medal in 2014 after a burning vehicle rescue.

Thompson spoke about the history of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission and then read Greenwald’s award summary, before calling him to the podium to present him with the medal.

“I’ve been asked by a very special organization to give a very special award to a very special person,” Thompson said. “This award is considered this country’s highest civic award for heroism.”

Los Angeles County Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Williams also presented Greenwald with a commendation from the fire department

“What you did was absolutely amazing,” Williams said.

After accepting the medal, Greenwald called for Ronald L. Lallone, the man he saved, to join him at the podium to another round of applause.

“First off, I’d like to thank Don Thompson and the Carnegie [Hero Fund Commission], as well as the Los Angeles County Fire Department, for this incredible honor. Words can’t describe what this means to me,” Greenwald said.